CHAPTER XXIV 

 POWER MACHINERY ON THE FARM 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF FARM MACHINERY 



A history of the development and use of farm machinery 

 is most fascinating. Years ago, before many of our com- 

 mon machines had been invented, almost all farm work was 

 done by hand. Gradually much of this hand labor, such as 

 cutting grain with sickle or cradle, cutting hay with a scjrthe, 

 hoeing corn, cutting corn with a knife, and threshing grain 

 with a flail, has been made unnecessary and decidedly im- 

 practical by the development of machinery that will do the 

 work better and faster. In 1855 it took 4 hours and 34 

 minutes of human labor to produce one bushel of corn, and 

 in 1894 only 41 minutes were required. 



Power machinery is the latest development. Now every 

 known kind of power is being applied to farm work and is 

 taking the place of both human and animal labor. Nearly 

 every farm has one or more gas engines. Many farms now 

 use electricity for running some of the machinery as well 

 as for lighting. Horse power, hand power and wind power 

 have to a considerable extent been replaced by gas engines 

 and electric motors. 



Knowledge is Power. — Every farm operator to-day must 

 know a great deal about machinery; the cost, the cost of 

 operation and Upkeep, and how to operate it efficiently. 

 Much money and effort are wasted by farmers in buying 

 machinies not suited to their needs and by not operating 

 them successfully when used. On the other hand, farm 

 machinery is highly desirable and has contributed more to 

 the splendid development of agriculture during the past 

 fifty years than any other agency. 



Some Points to Consider. — It is deplorable that many 

 farmers have lost their farms on account of having pur- 

 chased too much machinery, but we can not condemn ma- 

 chinery for that reason. Some persons eat too much, but 

 we can not condemn eating on that account. Some one has 



